Magnum Bonum; Or, Mother Carey's Brood Part 107

"Quite true; I have watched him content with the level my impertinent children a.s.sign him here, but now trying to be manly for Essie's sake.

You have not told me of Sydney."

"So angry at the folly of pa.s.sing over Babie, that I was forced to give her a hint to be silent before Duke. She collapsed, much impressed.

Forgive me, if it was a betrayal; but she is two years older now, and would not have been a safe companion unless warned. Hark! Is that the door-bell?"

Therewith the private interview period set in, and Babie made such use of her share of it, that when Lina was produced in the drawing-room before dinner she sat on Cecil's knee, and gravely observed that she had a verse to repeat to him--

"The phantom blackc.o.c.k of Kilnaught Is a marvellous bird yet uncaught; Go out in all weather, You see not a feather, Yet a marvellous work it has wrought, That phantom blackc.o.c.k of Kilnaught."

"What is that verse you are saying, Lina?" said her mother.

Lina trotted across and repeated it, while Cecil shook his head at wicked Babie.

"I hope you don't learn nursery rhymes, about phantoms and ghosts, Lina?" said Mrs. Robert Brownlow.

"This is an original poem, Aunt Ellen," replied Babie, gravely.

"More original than practical," said John. "You haven't accounted for the p.r.o.noun?"

"Oh, never mind that. Great poets are above rules. I want Essie to promise us bridesmaids blackc.o.c.k tails in our hats."

"My dear!" said her aunt, in serious reproof, shocked at the rapidity of the young lady's ideas.

"Or, at least," added Babie, "if she won't, you'll give us blackc.o.c.k lockets, Cecil. They would be lovely--you know--enamelled!"

"That I will!" he cried. "And, Mother Carey, will you model me a group of the birds? That would be a jolly present!"

"Better than Esther's head, eh? I have done that three times, and you shall choose one, Cecil."

Nothing would serve Cecil but an immediate expedition to the studio, to choose as well as they could by lamp-light.

And during the examination, Mrs. Evelyn managed to say to Caroline, "I'm quite satisfied. She is as bright and childish as you told me."

"Essie?"

"No, the Infanta."

"If she is not a little too much so."

"Oh no, don't wish any difference in those high spirits!"

"She makes it a cheerful house, dear child; and even Allen has brightened lately."

"And, Jock? He looks hard-worked, but brisk as ever."

"He does work very hard in all ways; but he thoroughly enjoys his work, and is as much my suns.h.i.+ne as Babie. There are golden opinions of him in the Medical School; indeed there are of both my Johns."

"They are quite the foremost of the young men of their year, and carry off most of the distinctions, besides being leaders in influence. So Dr.

Medlicott told us," said Mrs. Evelyn; "and yet he said it was delightful to see how they avoided direct rivalry, or else were perfectly friendly over it."

"Yes, they avoid, when it is possible, going in for the same things, and indeed I think Jock has more turn for the scientific side of the study, and the Friar for the practical. There is room for them both!"

"And what a contrast they are! What a very handsome fellow John has grown! So tall, and broad, and strong, with that fine colour, and dark eyes as beautiful as his sister's!"

"More beautiful, I should say," returned Caroline; "there is so much more intellect in them--raising them out of the regular Kencroft comeliness. True, the great charm of the stalwart Friar, as we call him, is--what his father has in some degree--that quiet composed way that gives one a sense of protection. I think his patients will feel entire trust in his hands. They say at the hospital the poor people always are happy when they see one of the Mr. Brownlows coming, whether it be the big or the little one."

"Not so very little, except by comparison; and I am glad Jock keeps his soldierly bearing."

"He is a Volunteer, you know, and very valuable there."

"But he has not an ounce of superfluous flesh. He puts me in mind of a perfectly polished, finished instrument!"

"That is just what used to be said of his father. Colonel Brownlow says he is the most like my poor young father of all the children."

"He is the most like you."

"But he puts me most of all in mind of my husband, in all his ways, and manner; and our old friends tell me that he sets about things exactly like his father, as if it were by imitation. I like to know it is so."

CHAPTER x.x.xVI. -- OF NO CONSEQUENCE.

Fell not, but dangled in mid air, For from a fissure in the stone Which lined its sides, a bush had grown, To this he clung with all his might.

Archbishop Trench.

Lord Fordham made it his most especial and urgent desire that his brother's wedding, which was to take place before Lent, should be at his home instead of at the lady's. Otherwise he could not be present, for Kenminster had a character for bleakness, and he was never allowed to travel in an English winter. Besides, he had set his heart on giving one grand festal day to his tenantry, who had never had a day of rejoicing since his great-uncle came of age, forty years ago.

Mrs. Robert Brownlow did not like it at all, either as an anomaly or as a disappointment to the Kenminster world, but her husband was won over, and she was obliged to consent. Mother Carey, with her brood, were of course to be guests, but her difficulty was the leaving Dr. and Mrs.

Lucas. The good old physician was failing fast, and they had no kindred near at hand, or capable of being of much comfort to them, and she was considering how to steer between the two calls, when Jock settled it for her, by saying that he did not mean to go to Fordham, and if Mrs. Lucas liked, would sleep in the house. There was much amazement and vexation.

He had of course been the first best man thought of, but he fought off, declaring that he could not afford to miss a single lecture or demonstration. Friar John's University studies had given him such a start that he had to work less hard than his cousin, and could afford himself the week for which he was invited; but Jock declared that he could not even lose the thirty-six hours that Armine was to take for the journey to Fordham and back. Every one declared this nonsense, and even Mrs. Lucas could not bear that he should remain, as she thought, on her account; but his mother did not join in the public outcry, and therefore was admitted to fuller insight, as he was walking back with her, after listening to the old lady's persuasions.

"I think she would really be better pleased to spare you for that one day," said Caroline.

"May be, good old soul," said Jock; "but as you know, mother, that's not all."

"I guessed not. It may be wiser."

"Well! There's no use in stirring it all up again, after having settled down after a fas.h.i.+on," said Jock. "I see clearer than ever how hopeless it is to have anything fit to offer a girl in her position for the next ten years, and I must not get myself betrayed into drawing her in to wait for me. I am such an impulsive fool, I don't know what I might be saying to her, and it would not be a right return for all they have been to me."

"You will have to meet her in town?"

"Perhaps; but not as if I were in the house and at the wedding. It would just bring back the time when she bade me never give up my sword."